demonstration on the following evening. They had a certainty of
a majority in the public vote, which, although nominally that of
the people, was, as has been said, confined solely to what would
now be called the middle class.

Hitherto the Barcine party had avoided fixing any period for their
own demonstration, preferring to wait until they knew the intention
of their opponents. The council now settled that it should take
place on the following day at eleven o'clock, just when the working
classes would have finished their morning meal.

The secret council, however, determined that no words should be
whispered outside their own body until two hours before the time,
in order that it should not be known to Hanno and his friends
until too late to gather their adherents to oppose it. Private
messengers were, however, sent out late to all the members to
assemble early at the club.

At nine o'clock next morning the Syssite was crowded, the doors
were closed, and the determination of the council was announced
to the members, each of whom was ordered to hurry off to set the
train in motion for a popular outbreak for eleven o'clock. It
was not until an hour later that the news that the Barcine party
intended to forestall them reached Hanno's headquarters. Then the
most vigourous efforts were made to get together their forces,
but it was too late. At eleven o'clock crowds of men from all the
working portions of the town were seen making their way towards
the forum, shouting as they went, "Hannibal for general!" "Down
with Hanno and the tax gatherers!"